APPLICATION PACK FOR THE POST OF OCEAN MATHS ASSISTANT

							 APPLICATION PACK
  FOR THE POST OF
   OCEAN MATHS
ASSISTANT PROJECT
     DIRECTOR



 NOVEMBER 2009
CONTENTS

1. Introduction to Ocean Maths

2. Frequently Asked Questions

3. Job Description & Person Specification
              AN INTRODUCTION TO OCEAN MATHS
                                   Mission
    To help children improve their maths by empowering teachers with the
           appropriate tools and involving parents in their learning.


Training and Supporting Schools

The programme is structured in the following way:
   •   An Ocean Maths Trainer (OMT) first demonstrates to, and then trains
       teachers in running joint parent child workshops. In these workshops
       parents are shown how to help their child using specifically designed
       home-work schedules;
   •   Depending on the level of support we offer, the OMT and teachers
       deliver workshops to various year groups and train additional teachers
       in the programme;
   •   Teachers then set Ocean Maths home-work schedules. The OMT
       trains the teachers in how to set these home-work schedules, which
       have been specifically designed to engage both parents and the child
       in a joint activity, which is usually entertaining, such as a game;
   •   The OMT assures that an appropriate level of quality is maintained by
       the school and provide further support where required.

The intention is that these workshops are not simply a one off event, but that
schools continue to engage parents in further workshops as well as through
the home-work schedules.

In providing these workshops and on going support, the Ocean Maths team
have become skilled in learning how to engage and maintain enthusiasm in
parents and children to attend the workshops and complete the home-work
schedules.


The Team
The Ocean Maths office is located in the premises of Stepney Green Maths &
Computing College in east London.
Ocean Maths team consists of a Chief Executive Officer, a Lead Primary
Trainer, 3 primary consultants, an office manager, sessional staff such as
administrative staff, outreach workers, crèche workers and interpreters.
The Ocean Maths Board of Directors currently comprises of five members, all
of whom play an active role and take a keen interest in the work of the team.
Induction and support
There will be a tailored programme of induction for the successful applicant. It
will include initial meetings with key members of the team, observation of
workshops and Inset for teachers in schools. The successful applicant will
also have the opportunity to shadow the CEO and the Lead Primary Trainer
before she/he takes over the full responsibility of this role.

Ocean Maths Expectations
“The effect on the children’s attainment is significant. We were in our mid
30% of children achieving level 4 and above when we started with Ocean
Maths and now we are in the 90% bracket and a lot more children are
attaining level 5 and above.”
Lisa Samuels, Headteacher, Cayley Primary School, 2008

“During the inspection the Ocean Mathematics Project was observed…
Students and parents worked well together under the direction of the schools
mathematics teachers. Translators were in attendance to resolve any
language barriers and good use was made of a computer-controlled
whiteboard to deliver a vibrant and exciting learning experience. This
provision is very good.”
OfSTED Inspection Report, Stepney Green School, October 2004

“Progress has been made in maths at every level and it’s increasing all the
time, from the more able and talented to those who have learning needs and
we are seeing great development in our maths department and Ocean Maths
is part of it and a very important part of it.”
Kenny Fredericks, Principal, George Green’s School, 2008

“One of the major successes of this approach is that it bridges the gap
between home and school for children.”
Linda Pound, in Ocean Mathematics Project, Foundation Stage at Halley
School Pilot Study, 2005-2006

“The Ocean Maths Project has successfully managed to engage ‘hard to
reach’ parents in their children’s mathematical development, having a
significant impact on attainment, plus a wider impact on parents’ skills and
school-parent relationships.”
Review of Mathematical Teaching in Early Years Settings and Primary
Schools, Final Report, DCSF, 2008

Your application
We hope that you are inspired by this brief overview of the work of Ocean
Maths and that you will want to apply to join our team.

The role of the Assistant Project Director is varied, exciting and challenging.
You will benefit from opportunities to lead projects in developing the Ocean
Maths programmes by extending it to other LAs and schools in London and
beyond.
Please feel free to contact us to have an informal discussion about the post
and the role of the Assistant Project Director.

Pinder Singh
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 020 7791 3759
Email: info@ocean-maths.org.uk


Please complete and submit the application form. In it you should
demonstrate your understanding of the role of Ocean Maths Assistant
Project Director and highlight how your experience to date has prepared
you for this role and meets the selection criteria.

We look forward to hearing from you. If, however, you decide this is not the
post for you we would like to take the opportunity of thanking you for your
interest and wish you every success in your future career.


The closing date for this post is Friday, 27th November 2009.

Interviews for this post will be on Friday, 4th December 2009.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Where will I be based?

You will be based in the Ocean Maths office at the premises of Stepney Green Maths
& Computing College.

2. What holiday entitlement will I have?

If you have accepted Soulbury conditions of service in relation to the secondment or
are already on Soulbury conditions, then Consultants have a set amount of annual
leave each year: (26 days annual leave + statutory Bank Holiday and 5 days service
entitlement where more than 5 years service has been completed with a Local
Authority). Leave should be taken during the school holidays.

3. What hours will I work?

The standard working week is 35 hrs, Monday to Friday, subject to arrangement with
your line manager and normally between the hours of 8.30am and 5pm, with a
minimum of ½ hour for lunch.
We also operate a Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) system which recognises work undertaken
outside of these hours. Work undertaken outside of these hours should normally be
pre-arranged with your line manager.

5. Which schools will I work with?

You will work with a wide range of schools in different LAs in London and gradually
extending to outside London.

6. Can I work from home?

Working from home is done only in exceptional circumstances and there are agreed
protocols for this.

7. What support would I receive?

You will have administrative support which will deal with ‘phone calls, word
processing and filing for you. You will also have access to a desktop PC and a
printer.

8. What about travel expenses?

Travel costs will be reimbursed subject to prior agreement with the manager.

9. How much of my work will be office-based?

Generally speaking, trainers are in the office for about 20% of the week and in
schools or training for the remaining time. This will vary according to the needs of the
Service.

10. How is this job different from being in school?

You will notice a difference in the rhythm of work and that it is less structured than
the timetabled days you may have experienced in school. You will have more
autonomy and professional responsibility for your time, but with that autonomy comes
accountability.
                             Job Description

Job title               Ocean Maths Assistant Project Director
Grade                   Salary range £39,500 - £47,500 + LW
Reports to              Chief Executive Officer
Responsible for         Delivering the Ocean Maths programme to a number
                        of schools and to assist the CEO with developing the
                        project
Purpose of job

The Assistant Project Director will be expected to use his/her energy,
enthusiasm, and confidence to:
   • manage and coordinate delivery of the Ocean Maths programme to a
      variety of schools;
   • provide training and consultancy to schools in a wide variety of LAs;
   • provide advice to LAs and schools about Ocean Maths;
   • assist in monitoring progress in schools which are being trained or
      supported by the Ocean Maths programme;
   • contribute to the development, monitoring and evaluation of Ocean
      Maths;
   • provide feedback to LAs on progress and achievement at school level
      in their LAs; and
   • promote best practice across schools in the LAs and beyond.

Major duties and responsibilities

   •   Work with the Headteacher and the mathematics subject leader to plan
       a complete programme within each school.
   •   Deliver INSET to the whole staff in each school at the beginning and at
       the end of the programme.
   •   Train teachers to plan and run parent and child workshops during
       school hours.
   •   Organise resources, activities and parent invitations for workshops.
   •   Engage parents during workshops so they can learn strategies to
       maximise maths homework at home with their children.
   •   Produce accessible and engaging materials to support Ocean Maths
       homeworks.
   •   Monitor and review all elements of the procedure to ensure the
       effectiveness of the programme.
   •   Help secure new business by following up enquiries and making
       presentations to potential clients.
   •   Support the CEO in managing the other Ocean Maths trainers and the
       day to day running of the organization.
                             Person Specification

Job title                 Ocean Maths Assistant Project Director
Grade                     Salary range £39,500 - £47,500 + LW
Method of candidate assessment: A = Application Form        I = Interview
Selection criteria                                          A–I      Weighting

Education and Qualifications:
  • Qualified teacher status.                                A              3
   •    Degree or equivalent.                                A              3
   •    Evidence of additional further development
                                                             A              3
        preferably in the area of mathematics.

Experience:
   •    Knowledge and expertise in the teaching and
        learning of mathematics preferably in the            A/I            3
        primary phase.
   •    Knowledge and expertise of how the needs are
        met of gifted and talented children and low          A/             3
        achievers.
   •    Successful experience in training teachers and
                                                             A/I            3
        the ability to provide constructive feedback.
   •    The ability to manage a team of Ocean Maths
                                                             A/I            3
        trainers.

Knowledge, skills and understanding:
  • Good subject knowledge of mathematics and
                                                             A/I            3
     the teaching of maths.
   •    Excellent classroom practitioner.                    A/I            3
   •    Effective presentation skills, particularly in
                                                              I             3
        relation to in-service training.
   •    Effective communication skills.                      A/I            3
   •    Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to
        enthuse and motivate others and develop               I             3
        effective partnerships.
   •    Good influencing/negotiating skills.                 A/I            3
   •    Confident use of information and
                                                             A              2
        communication technology (ICT).
   •    Excellent teamwork skills.                           A              3
   •    Understanding of health and safety in the
        workplace and how to implement it in the             A              2
        workplace.
Selection criteria                                         A–I   Weighting

Other job requirements:

•   Well organised with the ability to work flexibly.       A       3


•   Good time management.                                  A/I      3

•   Ability to write evaluative reports, for example on
                                                            A       2
    the impact of Ocean Maths.
•   Have ideas about how to involve and engage
                                                           A/I      3
    parents in their children’s learning of mathematics.
•   Willingness to travel to different schools in a wide
                                                            I       3
    variety of local authorities.

•   Successful CRB.                                         A       3